Paul Zoubkov

Human Rights - Aotearoa, New Zealand (Oceania)

Paul is one of his nation’s leaders in youth effecting change. Since 1996 he has been actively involved in initiating forums for participation of young people in decisionmaking. This has included developing youth-led social services and, in his current role as coordinator of “Global Focus”, a project to facilitate the expression of young people’s views on global issues through print media.

A firm believer in the right of every human being to positive development, Paul considers that the lack of access to information about social issues for young people results in youth alienation and an inability to engage with the world at large. Through further establishing youth networks, Paul aims to effectively “bridge the intergeneration gaps, dissipate the myth of youth apathy, and allow for meaningful and appropriate participation of young people as citizens of today (rather than tomorrow)”.